1mo·tive 
/ˈmoʊtɪv/ noun
plural mo·tives /ˈmoʊtɪv/ noun [count] : a reason for doing something
▪ Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished. ▪ I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. ▪ She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives. ▪ hidden/ulterior motives ▪ making decisions based on the profit motive [=the desire to make a profit] — often + for ▪ No one knows the main/real/underlying motive for his behavior.
▪ Their motive in running away was to avoid being punished. ▪ I think he's guilty of the crime. He had the motive, the means, and the opportunity. ▪ She denied that her offer to help was based on selfish motives. ▪ hidden/ulterior motives ▪ making decisions based on the profit motive [=the desire to make a profit] — often + for ▪ No one knows the main/real/underlying motive for his behavior.
— mo·tive·less /ˈmoʊtɪvləs/ adjective
/ˈmoʊtɪvləs/ adjective
